Floor Leveling Compounds

09 Sep.,2024

 

Floor Leveling Compounds

Floor leveling compound is a versatile product that has many applications for leveling and finishing concrete floors. There are two types of products given this name, and while they are very similar and the names are often used interchangeably, there is a minor difference:

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from KDOCEL.

  • Floor-leveling compound must be finished using tools
  • Self-leveling floor compound is a type of floor-leveling compound that requires no tooling

There's more detail below in the discussion of the Types of Floor Leveling Compound that you may use in a kitchen or main living area.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover what these materials are, how to use them and the best floor-leveling compound to buy from your local home improvement stores.

Request a flooring project quote

  • 1

    Choose your type of flooring project.

  • 2

    Enter your ZIP code and home information.

  • 3

    We will match you with the top local pros.

Get free estimates from flooring pros near you.

Get a quote in less than 60 seconds.

Get Free Estimate

Hardwood Floor Installation

The average total cost ranges from $9 to $20 per square foot.

Get Free Estimates

Carpet Installation

The average total cost for carpet ranges from $5.67 to over $21 per square foot, depending on the quality.

Get Free Estimates

Laminate Floor Installation

The average total cost for laminate flooring is between $3 to $13 per square foot.

Get Free Estimates

Floor leveling compound and its uses

This material combines strength for permanency with the level of liquidity necessary to be finished with minimal tooling or none at all.

While each floor-leveling compound Home Depot and other sellers offer has a unique mix, there are two ingredients they share, Portland cement and polymers/plasticizers. The combination gives concrete the compressive strength of thicker traditional concrete and the ability to hold together even when poured in a thin layer of material and used in the following situations:

  • The most common use is too create a consistent, level subfloor for wood, tile, vinyl and other floorings
  • Bring a low area of a concrete floor up to the level of the surrounding flooring
  • Cover tubing for in-floor radiant heat systems
  • Form a smooth, level topping over existing concrete or plywood that is in poor condition

Preparing, pouring and finishing

Any bag of leveling concrete you purchase will include clear instructions. To prepare you to gather or purchase what you'll need, here is a list of tools and supplies:

  • A shop vacuum and mop
  • A 15-gallon mixing barrel is best for DIY floor-leveling compound application, but you can get by with a 5-gallon pail if you are willing to mix more loads
  • Measuring pitcher to add mix to your barrel prior to adding water
  • Mixing paddle with a shaft of 20' or more and an oval mixing head
  • Standard drill to drive the paddle for small batches and a mixing drill for 10-gallon or larger batches
  • Spreader or squeegee for pushing the floor-leveling compound into position and smoothing it
  • Finishing trowel to create a smooth, finished surface
  • Spiked shoes, which are strapped to shoes or boots, are used to walk onto already-poured leveling compound during the final troweling of the surface
  • Concrete surface primer should be applied to concrete surfaces to ensure a good bond between the existing floor and the leveling material, and depending on the size of the area, a brush, roller or broom can be used (and cleaned immediately)

You can find a floor leveling kit at most home improvement stores or online. The 7-piece Kraft Tool self-leveling tool kit with 15-gallon barrel is just one popular kit. It is currently available at Home Depot for $149. It does not include the drill.

The amount of floor-leveling compound you will need depends on the size and depth of the dips you'll be filling or the thickness of the topping you plan to install. This is a rough guide based on leveling 100 square feet to various depths:

  • 1/8' ' 100 to 120lbs of mix
  • 1/4' ' 200 to 240lbs of mix
  • 1/2' ' 400 to 480lbs of mix
  • 1' ' 800 to 960lbs of mix

This calculator features TEC brands only, but brands of leveling compound are very similar in their coverages.

Always buy more bags of mix than you need, so that you can finish the job while the compound is still wet. Most DIY installers are surprised at how thin the material seems to be when mixed in proper ratio to water. This is common. You'll be equally surprised at how tough and durable it is as it thickens and cures.

There are many good video tutorials online for pouring, spreading and finishing floor-leveling compound.

Read the directions from start to finish and follow them carefully. Most include these basic steps for how to use floor-leveling compound that requires the use of tools:

  1. Sweep and mop the area to remove dirt and debris
  2. Tape craft paper or plastic to any wall adjoining the floor you're leveling
  3. Caulk or tape over seams in plywood or OSB subfloor
  4. Install a cardboard collar around vents and drains to keep the liquid out of them
  5. Add wood or rubber strip dams at doorways when pouring floor leveling concrete in an entire room
  6. Prep dry mix bags for large jobs by cutting an opening for fast pouring into your mixing barrel
  7. Add the prescribed amount of water for your batch
  8. Use the drill and paddle to fully blend the material
  9. In small areas, pour the compound in lateral, 12'-24' strips starting at the spot furthest from the end/exit point; In large areas, pouring an entire barrel into the low area
  10. Use the spreader or squeegee to push the compound into place and give it an initial smoothing
  11. Finishing the surface with a concrete finishing tool
  12. Staying off the new surface for as long as recommended on the packaging, usually at least 6 hours
  13. Clean all tools immediately after use to prevent the compound from hardening on them
  14. Use a level in large areas to check if the surface is level, mark areas that are still low, and mix and apply enough additional material to make them level

If you're using self leveling compound on your floor, then your biggest concern should be to not pour out more compound than is required to fill the space. If you do, excess can be scooped up with a flat shovel or dust pan and deposited in a pail.

Types of compound and pros & cons

As noted above, we're discussing two products, one a subset of the other:

Floor-leveling compound is any mix used to fill low areas and imperfections or add as a topcoat to existing flooring. Unless the product is labeled as self-leveling, it will need to be worked with tools as outlined above. Consider these pros and cons of a leveling compound that must be finished with tools:

  • Pro: It is superior to self leveling compound for use as a smooth, acid-stained or stamped finish layer, and can be used as underlayment too
  • Con: Having to finish the concrete requires more skill and tools, so is less attractive as a DIY material

Self leveling floor compound is much easier to use because it does not require tooling when installed as underlayment and only minor tooling when it is the finished floor. This material is also commonly called self leveling concrete and self leveling underlayment.

  • Pros: Ease of use as a DIY underlayment, and it is a better product for covering radiant heat tubing
  • Cons: The surface won't be as smooth and crisp as a finished concrete surface if not finished with tools

Best floor leveling products, cost and where they're sold

Here are some of the best-selling floor leveling products, their cost and common places you can find them:

  • LevelQuik RS Self-Leveling Underlayment is another water-based product. It is used under tile, stone, hardwood, vinyl and carpet. The cost is about $32 per 50lb bag, and LevelQuik RS is sold at the Home Depot, ACE Hardware and online at Amazon.
  • MAPEI Self-Leveler Plus is water-based self leveling floor compound used strictly as underlayment. It is ready for tile in 24 hours and wood in 48 hours. The cost is about $30 per 50lb bag, and this MAPEI product is sold at Lowes and some local, independent flooring stores.
  • TEC Gray and Silver Indoor Leveler is not self leveling. It can be poured in thicknesses up to 1.5', and can be covered in 16 hours. This water-based TEC product can be used as finished flooring, and it costs about $37 per 50lb bag at Lowes.
  • Henry 555 Level Pro is a water-based self-leveling underlayment that can be used over wood, tile and concrete. The cost is about $37 per 40lb bag at the Home Depot.
  • Akona Self-Leveling Floor Underlayment Cement is another water-based powder mix for use over plywood and concrete. It doesn't require primer. This Akona floor-leveling compound is available at Mennards for about $35 per 50lb bag.
  • Rutland Floor Level is a floor-leveling compound in a premixed tub. The cost is about $11 for 3.5lbs at Amazon and about $57 for a 25lb tub at Wal-Mart.

How Much Does Concrete Leveling Really Cost?

Concrete is a tough, durable material that is both long-lasting and relatively versatile, but over time the soil under the concrete can erode, leaving gaps and small voids that cause the concrete to sink or sag in places.

Instead of completely replacing the slab, you can invest in concrete leveling for about $500 to $1,700, with the average being around $1,500.

Joe Gerrior, owner of Gerrior Masonry & Landscaping Construction Corp., says that "the process often requires specialized equipment such as hydraulic pumps and a mix of slurry (a blend of water, sand, cement, and other additives)."

The pros fill the gaps and voids under the concrete by pumping the slurry through small holes that are drilled in the concrete. This process works stabilize the soil and level the concrete slab. Find out more about concrete leveling costs and methods with this informative guide.

Meet the Expert

Joe Gerrior is the owner of Gerrior Masonry & Landscape Construction Corp., a family-owned business based in Woburn, Massachusetts, serving residential and commercial clients for over 34 years. The company is known for its commitment to excellence in masonry and landscaping services.

Concrete Leveling Cost Factors

Concrete Slab Size

The larger the concrete slab, the more materials will be necessary to complete the project, increasing the material cost. Larger concrete slabs will often take longer to work with, causing the labor costs to increase.

Typically, if you were having the concrete slab mudjacked, then it would cost about $3 to $6 per square foot. However, if you were looking for a more permanent solution, then you may choose to have the concrete slab poly leveled, in which case the cost would increase to $5 to $25 per square foot.

Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more!

Materials

Common material options for concrete leveling include a stone slurry, concrete slurry, sand-based cement slurry, or polyurethane foam.

  • Stone slurries involve a mixture of compacted stones and a water-based concrete. This type of concrete leveling material helps to improve the strength and stability of the soil that supports the concrete slab, though it costs about $7'$25 per square foot.

  • Concrete slurry is typically used for mudjacking. It is made up of a mud-like mixture of cement, water, soil, and sand. This material is the most cost-effective options, so you only need to spend about $3 to $6 per square foot

    for mudjacking.
  • Sand-based cement slurries are often used in areas where the soil is relatively damp. This material is made with dry limestone sand mixed with water, then it's pumped in from the sides of the concrete slab for about $3 and $8 per square foot.

  • Polyurethane foam is used for poly leveling or foam leveling. The process is similar to mudjacking, but instead of a concrete slurry, the pros use polyurethane foam, which expands into the gaps and voids to level the sunken concrete. To fix the concrete slab using this material, homeowners should budget for about $5 to $25 per square foot.


Labor

In most cases, concrete leveling doesn't take a lot of time, so labor will usually cost about $350 for a 100 square foot project. This labor fee includes mixing and pouring the leveling compound, drilling the concrete slab, and patching any holes after the job is complete.

Project Type

The company is the world’s best Self-Leveling Compound Manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Concrete leveling a driveway will typically cost more than leveling a sidewalk or patio. This is generally due to the difference in size and thickness of the concrete slab, but can also be affected by the amount of material required or the method used to level the concrete.

While poly leveling is a great choice for important support structures, like the foundation or the garage slab, homeowners may only need to invest in mudjacking for smaller concrete slabs, like pathways, steps, or patios.

  • Foundation: $4,500 to $10,000
  • Driveway: $600 to $3,000
  • Sidewalk: $150 to $800
  • Garage: $500 to $2,500
  • Patio: $500 to $1,100
  • Steps: $200 to $600


Additional Concrete Leveling Costs

Concrete Core Drilling

Concrete core drilling is the process of drilling holes or channels through the concrete to allow the masonry pros to pump in a slurry or foam to level the concrete slab. Depending on the size of the slab, the concrete leveling crew may need to drill additional holes, which can increase the cost of the job by as much as $11 per square foot, or about $1,100 for a 100 square foot concrete slab.

Concrete Surface Grinding

After leveling the slab, you may notice that there are some parts of the concrete that are uneven. The masonry pros can address this issue by grinding down the surface of the concrete using an abrasive grinding tool. Concrete surface grinding comes at an additional cost of about $3 to $12 per square foot.

Concrete Polishing

Once the concrete slab is level and any uneven areas are taken care of with surface grinding, you can ask the masonry pros to polish the concrete floor. Polishing helps to hide any patches or areas where concrete core drilling was necessary to level the slab. Plan to spend around $3 to $15 per square foot for professional concrete polishing.

Concrete Leveling Methods

Mudjacking

One of the more basic options for concrete leveling is known as mudjacking. This involves creating a mixture of dement, water, soil, and sand, then drilling two-inch wide holes through the concrete slab and pumping the slurry into the gaps and voids below to lift the concrete slab up to it's original height.

Generally, mudjacking last about five to 10 years before the slab will need to be leveled again. However, you will only spend about $3 to $6 per square foot, making mudjacking the most affordable choice.

Sandjacking

Sandjacking doesn't require the masonry professional to drill through the concrete slab. Instead, a mixture of dry limestone sand and water is used to make a slurry that can be pumped into the gaps and voids from the sides of the concrete slab.

This also means that sandjacking works best in areas where the soil is wet. Plan to spend between $3 and $8 per square foot for professional sandjacking.

Poly Leveling

Poly leveling is also known as foam leveling because it uses polyurethane foam to level the concrete instead of relying on a concrete, sand, or stone slurry. The contractors will drill through the concrete slab, similar to mudjacking, then they will inject polyurethane foam into the gaps and voids under the slab. The foam expands in the space, stabilizing the soil and leveling the concrete.

Using this method, you can expect the repair to last for over a decade, though at $5 to $25 per square foot, poly leveling is substantially more expensive than mudjacking or sandjacking.

Stone Slurry Grout Concrete Leveling

When the concrete slab requires a firm base to help support substantial weight, like an oversized truck or multiple cars, then stone slurry grout concrete leveling is a good option. The slurry that is pumped into the gaps and crevices under the slab is made by combining compacted limestone with a water-based concrete. The slurry fills any uneven areas and creates a strong foundation under the slab, though the cost for this service can be higher than poly leveling, with a price range from $7'$25 per square foot.

DIY vs. Professional Concrete Leveling Costs

Typically, DIYers with the right tools and materials can fix minor concrete slab problems, like leveling several patio stones or repairing an uneven walkway. However, the larger the concrete slab, the longer it will take and the less likely that the average DIYer will be able to complete the project without problems.

"Potential issues during concrete leveling include improper slurry injection, which can lead to further shifting, or using substandard materials that don't provide long-lasting support," Gerrior says. "Hiring a professional is essential for ensuring the job is done correctly, preventing future settling, and avoiding potential voids under the concrete."

A crew of trained professionals will ensure the work is completed to a higher level of quality than a single DIYer could achieve on their own. Additionally, the pros will often offer a warranty or guarantee on the work.

Replacing vs. Leveling Concrete

Concrete leveling isn't always an option. Generally, if the concrete is too thin, brittle, or too heavily damaged, then the contractor will need to break up the slab, haul away the old concrete, then pour a new slab to replace what was removed.

Concrete replacement costs more than concrete leveling and also takes more time and effort to complete. For these reasons, it's best to use concrete leveling whenever possible to repair existing concrete slabs.

Best Time of Year to Save Money on Concrete Leveling

Concrete leveling will typically take place during spring, summer, and early fall when the weather is relatively nice. To get better prices for this work, try to book the project for early spring, late fall, or even into early winter, when the demand for concrete leveling services is at it's lowest.

FAQ

  • Is concrete lifting worth it?

    Concrete lifting is definitely worth the investment. As long as the job is done properly, concrete lifting is more efficient and affordable than simply replacing the concrete slab, and tends to take less time.

  • How long does concrete leveling last?

    It depends on the concrete leveling method. While mudjacking will only last about five to 10 years, poly leveling can last well over a decade before the concrete will need to be leveled again.

  • Will self-leveling concrete crack?

    Self-leveling concrete can crack, though this depends on the bonding and movement of the concrete slab. If the self-leveling concrete does not bond well or the concrete slab moves or shifts, then there is a chance that the self-leveling concrete will crack.

For more self leveling compound manufacturerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.